Nominations are now being accepted for The Welding Institute’s 2020 awards.

The Continuous Learning and Development Award recognises outstanding individuals who have undertaken significant educational journeys in parallel to their welding career. The award will place focus on individuals who have successfully combined practical workplace skills with traditional learning and academic achievement to the benefit of both themselves and their employer.

The Award is sponsored by Professor Steven Jones, Chief Technical Operating Officer at the Nuclear AMRC, Sheffield and Vice-Chair of the Welding Institute’s Professional Board. Professor Jones recollected his non-traditional route to obtain academic qualifications through external self-financed private study and hopes to inspire others to pursue their own ambitions.

The Continuous Learning and Development Award has been created to commend an individual who has demonstrated their own non-traditional route to achieve success. Any successful welder who has applied passion with a willingness to learn and try new things should apply for this award.

In recognition of the efforts and personal sacrifices made by an individual during the process of acquiring and applying the knowledge that they have gained, the Continuous Learning and Development Award features a £500 cash prize.

The Continuous Learning and Development Award was introduced in 2018 and was won by Mike Skyrme of BAE Systems (Marine), who demonstrated the challenges and demands of balancing a highly responsible job, extensive study and a family life. Last year’s award was taken home by John Whittaker of Lundy Projects, who has undertaken research into laser hybrid welding at Fronius in Austria and given technical lectures on Laser Hybrid Welding, Robotic Welding Cells and Liquid Metal Assisted Cracking.

To be considered for the award, you will need to be able to provide evidence of your learning and how your learning has been applied successfully.

(Last year's winner, John Whittaker pictured to the right)